South Africa is one of the most loved tourist destinations in the world. Visitors to the Republic are treated to a wide array of picturesque African sceneries, the famed Savannah with the intriguing Bushmen, the fascinating mix of modernity and traditional lifestyle and the amazing wildlife.
Destination Highlights
South Africa is known for attractions such as dragon-backed mountain ranges, coral reefs and the Big Five. Many visitors will have seen big-name parks and other tourist attractions that are famous the world over. Some of the favorite destinations include:
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park ranks high on the list of the world’s most famous safari parks. It is one of the oldest reserves in the country and is located approximately a 4.5-hour drive from Johannesburg. A visit to Kruger acquaints visitors with the “Big Five”: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo. You are also caught up in the beauty a variety of other wildlife.
You may also chance upon the charming Bushmen of the Kalahari. Activities such as walking safaris or hot air balloon ride over the wondrous landscape made up of grasslands, forests and river systems will be arranged for you on request.
You also have the choice of comfortable accommodations on campsites or world class lodges. Another favorite park to visit is the Kgalagadi (Kalahari) Transfrontier Park located in Northern Cape.
Cape Town
A visit to South Africa would not be complete without seeing one of the most amazing cities in Africa. The praises of Cape Town are sung the world over. It is the second largest settlements in the republic.
Visitors are intrigued by the amazing amalgamation of cultures that make up this city. Nature surrounds Cape Town as it has pride of place between a range of mountains and the ocean. If you hike to the top of Table Mountain, you will have the most spectacular view of the city. Hikers love to take the hour-long walk up to Lion’s Head for the city vistas.
Whale watching on is possible if you walk along the waterfront boardwalk. They are visible as the spout from the harbor. There is also the wildlife on Cape Point and the Penguins on golden False Bay beaches.
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is also a must-see site. It is a favorite spot for shopping, dining and catching the many shows on offer. Then the day ends with a ‘sundowner’ along the magnificent Chapman’s Peak Drive to watch a spectacular sunset.
Stellenbosch, Western Cape
This is another of the beautiful towns of South Africa that is set apart by its old oak trees, white-washed cape Dutch Buildings and mosaic farms. It is a beautifully preserved town that remained from the era of the Dutch East India Company.
This is a haven for chefs and foodies as it hosts the country’s most popular sidewalk cafes and restaurants. Historians have their favorite haunts here too as they can go back in time with a cursory stroll into the Village Museum. This historic building is a house in a group of four restored houses and gardens that go as far back as 1709 to 1850.
Other attractions include the Rupert Museum and the Botanic gardens found at the University of Stellenbosch. Bikers can have a time of it on the wilderness trails of the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.
From Offline to Online in South Africa
Needless to say, there is a lot to do and see in South Africa, but the online experience might prove disappointing to travelers. It’s not that South Africa bans certain websites, but more likely than not, a geo-block put in place by streaming platforms such as Netflix, limiting access only to those within certain countries. For example, only viewers from the US can access the US Netflix. To get around this, you can invest in ways to change your IP address such as a VPN or a proxy service. If you’re not particularly tech-savvy, you’re advised to download a VPN that is easy to use in South Africa so you won’t have to go a day without your favorite show!